Jainism: Right Faith, Right Knowledge And Right Conduct

The three fundamental tenets for Jains are: Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. A pursuit of these goals involves modest living, and prescribed behavior such as non-violence and stringent vegetarianism, and also various rituals and acts of devotion ( puja). The worship of images of mortal teachers or Thirthankaras (divinities) is common among Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains alike, but the approach of the Jains to the Tirthankaras differs from that of the other groups.

Jains expect no worldly help of any sort from the Jinas thus worshipped. The Jain image-worship is of a meditational nature; the Jina is seen merely as an ideal, a certain mode of the soul, a state attainable by all embodied beings. Through personification of that ideal state in stone, the Jain creates a meditative support, a reminder of their highest goal and the possibility of its attainment. Having attained complete liberation, the Tirthankaras do not actually exist at any level. Although they are referred to as saviors and their representations are popular, but the devotees expect no earthly rewards to come from their veneration.

The message of Jainism is that of love, because by nature every soul being and Parmatman or God is the same. There is no difference, and therefore doing constructive work, with a two-fold overall objective: to help others, while at the same time make a spiritual investment in oneself. The path of salvation is clear - if you do something good or bad you have to face the consequences of your actions. Jainism clearly states that only if one follows the path of good thoughts, good knowledge and good action only then will he be a good Jain. Pure ahimsa is when you are friends to all living beings, when you actively help them.

Let all living beings of the world remain happy, never be afraid of anything, give up envy, evils and self-ego and be engaged in singing auspicious songs of joy and piety, is the ever beautiful message of Jains. By involvement in materialism only do not throw away religion far away from humanity. People should aim to reach that spiritual height, that ultimate step in the path of spiritualism, where there is no death, no rebirth, that leads one to Nirvan, or moksha.

Jain religion creates the right awareness in the man about his lack of knowledge and at the same time fulfills his desire, anxiety about right knowledge. So it has made a significant contribution to the civilization.

The spiritual life of the Jain layman or woman involves a wide range of ascetic and devotional activities. The ultimate goal of the layperson is the elimination of all karma, resulting in liberation. But in practice the layperson is more concerned with eliminating bad karma and maximising good karma so as to enhance both well-being in this life and the chances of better rebirth. Intention, however, is still crucial Jains believe, for if the layperson acts with a total disregard for the ultimate goal of liberation, and seeks only to increase good karma for worldly ends, such practices at best will be only marginally successful.